3
Nov
‘953
side is found in the idea of regeneration. To be justified does not mean
that one is sinless, but it means that one is accepted as sinless. I n other
words, God does not hold his sin against him, but imputes his righteousness to him. So Paul concludes that through faith, (by which he means a
total surrender to God) one is justified, and this justification means regeneration. Through this faith the individual dies to the flesh and rises
anew with Christ in the spirit, and is thereby saved.
The New Testament makes it very explicit that Jesus is savior and redeemer. It is contendes that through his death and resurrection God
has prepared the way to a release from the bondage of sin and thereby
offering him salvation. “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto
himself.’lg
AHDS. MLKP-MBU: Box 115.
9. The quotation is from
2
Corinthians 5: 19.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers Project
J. Timothy Boddie to Martin Luther King, Sr.
3 November 1953
Baltimore, Md.
Boddie informs his old friend King, Sr., that King, Jr,, will give a guest sermon at
Boddie’s New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore.‘ Boddie refers to King, Sr.’s
absence at the annual meeting of the National Baptist Convention in Miami,
where J . H . Jackson was elected president to succeed the retiring D. V.Jemison.
Dr. M. L. King
194 Boulevard N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia
My dear friend, M. L.
You were missed at Miami. But knowing you as I do you would have burned
up a lot of energy stating and taking your position according to your convictions. Things worked out as we wanted them anyhow.
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1. James Timothy Boddie (1900- 1963) graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary and
College in 1926 and received his B.D. from Colgate-Rochester Divinity School in 1929. After
serving as pastor of Baptist churches in Virginia, New York, Maryland, and Pennsylvania he
became pastor of New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore in 1942, where he remained until his
death. He was president of the Maryland Baptist Convention and vice-president of the National
Baptist Convention. His wife, Emery Mae Moore, was a close childhood friend of Alberta Williams King. See J. Timothy Boddie, Jr., to King Papers Project, g September 1990.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers Project
I am arranging for M. L. Jr. to preach for me Sunday morning November
the 15th. Although I’ll be out of my pulpit the Sunday before I will arrange
anything for anybody related to King, my friend.
Remember me kindly to my girl Alberta, the others in your household and
all inquiring friends. All on this end send their fondest regards. I am
16 Nov
1953
Your friend and brother,
[signed]
J. Timothy Boddie
JTB:VN
TLS. MLKP-MBU: Box I 17.
J. T. Brooks to Martin Luther King, Sr.,
and Alberta Williams King
16 November 1953
Montgomery, Ala.
Joseph T. Brooks, a deacon of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, indicates to King’s
parents that Dexter was interested in King, Jr., for its pastorate. Joseph T. Brooks,
Jr., who is mentioned in the letter, was a classmate of King’s at Morehouse.
Dear Rev & Mrs King:
I am addressing this note to both of you for fear that Reverend King may
be out of town and it may be held until he is in town. Some time ago, Charlie
Dunn, secretary of the pulpit committee of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
here, called you with reference to M L., Jr. We are interested in having him
in the consideration for the pastorate of our church. T h e condition of our
church treasury at present, however, does not seem to justify or to make possible our bringing him down from Boston, where I understand he is continuing his study.
Please ascertain for me the earliest time that he does plan to come home. If
we could locate him in this area, we would certainly want him to come down
with us for a sermon. I have heard so many fine things about him and his
ability and possibility, that I am intensely interesting in having him down.
Please answer this note if you can. And if you can not, please rush it on to him
for reply as we are now in process of hearing a series of prospects and would
like if possible to make a decision sometime in the not too distant future.
Sadie and I are fine. Joe, Jr is getting married next month in N C-that will
get the last one off our hands. Thank Goodness!!! Love.
Cordially yours,
[signed]Joe
J T Brooks
TLS. CSKC.
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